Providing quality of service in telecommunications systems such as UMTS or other third generation systems

Abstract

In a telecommunications network, a method is provided of transmitting a data stream from a user's terminal in a first service domain to an end point in a second service domain. The data stream is transmitted according to procedures selected o as to provide the first user with a predetermined quality of service. The quality of service is determined dependent upon the terms of the service level agreement between the user and the first service domain, and service level agreements between service domains through which the data stream passes to reach the end point.

1 . A method of transmitting a data stream in a telecommunications system from a user's terminal in a first service domain to an end point in a second service domain, the method comprising the step of: 
 transmitting the data stream according to procedures selected so as to provide the first user with a predetermined quality of service,    said quality of service being determined dependent upon the terms of the service level agreement between the user and the first service domain, and service level agreements between service domains through which the data stream passes to reach the end point.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which each service domain has an associated network domain, at least one network domain being a UMTS or other Third Generation (3G) system.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  in which for a predetermined quality of service defined by a service level agreement a hierarchical set of policies are applied governing the timing, prioritisation and rate of transmission of data of said data stream.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  in which the user's quality of service depends on the level of quality of service selected in the user's service level agreement.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  in which the user's quality of service depends on the level of quality of service selected in the user's service level agreement.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by the first service domain are selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between the user's terminal and first service domain as to be quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by the first service domain are selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between the user's terminal and first service domain as to be quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 2  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  in which for a predetermined quality of service defined by a service level agreement a hierarchical set of policies are applied governing the timing, prioritisation and rate of transmission of data of said data stream.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  in which the user's quality of service depends on the level of quality of service selected in the user's service level agreement.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by the first service domain are selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between the user's terminal and first service domain as to be quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by the first service domain are selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between the user's terminal and first service domain as to be quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the user's quality of service depends on the level of quality of service selected in the user's service level agreement.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by the first service domain are selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between the user's terminal and first service domain as to be quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16  in which procedures for transmission of data of said data stream by a service domain is selected dependent upon a process of negotiation between service domains as to the quality of service to be applied.  
     
     
         20 . A telecommunications network comprising a first service domain and a second service domain, the first service domain comprising a user's terminal and the second service domain comprising a transmission end point, 
 each service domain comprising a quality of service controller operative to transmit a data stream from the user's terminal to the end point with a predetermined quality of service,    said quality of service being determined by the controller dependent upon the terms of a service level agreement between the user and the first service domain and the service level agreements between service domains through which the data stream passes to reach the end point.